“It was the biggest Cup win I have had so it is really good,” Cross said. “He was always travelling like a winner. Once I got out and found the room he really got home well.”

The former country NSW hoop had a big Alice Cup Carnival two months ago where she rode plenty of winners.

It was the second straight year that a female jockey has won the Chief Minister’s Cup after Felicia Bergstrand piloted the Chris Pollard-trained Igles Star to victory 12 months ago,

Victorian visitor Dubyago (Jarrod Todd) made it a winning debut and a double for Leech earlier in the day after saluting in the Impact Hair Studio Handicap (1000m).

A winner at Geelong in May, the three-year-old filly was too strong for her seven rivals defeating Blue Shore (Kacie Connor) by one and a quarter lengths with King Dejour (Vanessa Arnott) a further two lengths adrift, third.

Todd believes the slightly-built Dubyago will benefit from the run and will be looking for more distance.

“When I jumped I thought I was going to lead by two lengths but all of a sudden after 100m I was four off the speed and under the pump,” Todd said. “Even though I was chasing the whole way I was able to save her for the finish.”